María Corina criticizes Maduro and talks about prison in Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado released a video on her social networks this Friday (10), hours after dictator Nicolás Maduro took over the country’s Executive again. In her speech, she reported details of her temporary arrest that took place on Thursday (9) and explained the reasons why elected president Edmundo González Urrutia has not yet returned to Venezuelan territory to be inaugurated.

In the video, María Corina stated that more than 180 protests took place throughout Venezuela and another 150 demonstrations were held in different cities around the world. According to her, the act was a clear demonstration of the unity of the Venezuelan people in the face of the regime.

“Each of the Venezuelans who took to the streets represents the best of who we are and the millions who make up the Venezuelan nation, inside and outside the country. I saw it next to you. This growing, tricolor river is the most powerful thing I have ever seen in my life, and it fills me with pride because, despite the great apparatus of repression, we defeated fear. You are brave. Yesterday (Thursday the 9th) my deep confidence that freedom is close was reaffirmed. Yesterday, they lost, despite the total militarization of Caracas and other cities, in a demonstration of who really fears who, how afraid they are of the people”, said the opponent.

In her speech, Machado spared no criticism of Maduro’s dictatorship, which, according to her, was consolidated this Friday through a coup d’état.

“Today, January 10, Maduro consolidates a coup d’état. In front of Venezuelans and the world, they crossed the red line by officially violating the National Constitution”, he denounced. She also highlighted the presence of the dictators of Cuba and Nicaragua alongside Maduro, which, in her words, demonstrates the undemocratic and authoritarian character of the regime.

The opponent reported details of the moment she was detained by Chavista forces after the demonstration against the regime in Caracas. According to her report, upon leaving the concentration in Chacao, the place where the crowd was gathered, she was intercepted by agents of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) who shot at her entourage.

Machado said she was abruptly removed from the motorcycle on which she was being transported and taken “in between two men”.

“That’s how they are. They attack a woman from behind”, he criticized, reporting that he still feels pain.

During the journey, she heard the police mention that they were on their way to Boleíta, a neighborhood in Caracas where the headquarters of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence is located, one of the Chavista bodies that repress and torture opponents.

However, said María Corina, before reaching their destination, the agents changed their plan and decided to release her.

“They asked me to record a video as proof of life. It took me several hours to get away from the area and take cover again,” he reported. Machado also reported that, upon learning of the situation, several international leaders put pressure on the Venezuelan regime, which, according to her, contributed to his release.

“It is clear that what happened to me yesterday demonstrates the deep contradictions within the regime. Their erratic performance is further proof of how internally divided they are. Obviously, this was coupled with immediate statements and warnings from world leaders and governments from various parts of the world, which made them understand the mistake they made in violently kidnapping me. I want to express my deep gratitude to Venezuela’s democratic allies who support us at this time. We all know that, from today onwards, the pressure will increase even more until Maduro understands that this has come to an end”, he said.

Regarding President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, María Corina explained that, due to the closure of airspace and the activation of the country’s defense system, it was decided to postpone his entry into Venezuela to preserve its integrity.

“We were in permanent communication during his extraordinary journey through the nations of our hemisphere, where he was received with the honors of an elected head of state and with the affection of thousands and thousands of Venezuelans who live in these countries. Edmundo will come to Venezuela for his inauguration as constitutional president at the right time, when the conditions are right,” she said, adding that “in its delusional paranoia, the regime not only closed Venezuela’s airspace, but also activated the entire air defense. Therefore, we evaluated all of this and decided that it is not appropriate for Edmundo to enter Venezuela today. I asked him not to do so, because his integrity is fundamental to the final defeat of the regime and the transition to democracy, which is very close,” he said.

The opposition leader also thanked the support of international allies and highlighted that the Maduro regime is increasingly under pressure internally and externally.

“From today onwards, the pressure will increase until Maduro understands that this is over”, he emphasized. She also offered solidarity with demonstrators arrested and injured during the protests, saying that everyone will be supported.

Closing her statement, María Corina called on Venezuelans to remain firm in the fight for democracy.

“Today, we demonstrated that we are not afraid. I know that we will be increasingly on the streets of Venezuela and the world. It’s time to do whatever is necessary to restore our Constitution”, he concluded with a firm appeal.